Canon debuts EF 11-24mm f/4L lens, the widest rectilinear full-frame lens on earth

 

 

Alongside their recently announced 50MP 5DS and 5DS R cameras, Canon has debuted a brand new ultra-wide angle L-series lens. The new EF 11-24mm f/4L lens is the latest member of Canon's 'f/4' family of L-series glass and is now the widest-angle rectilinear lens ever produced for full-frame DSLRs.

This premium, professional-grade lens provides a full 126-degree field of view at 11mm while maintaining straight, minimally distorted lines. Plus, a minimum focus distance of just 11 inches (at 24mm) makes the lens an equally formidable wide angle macro photography tool.

The lens's new optical design is comprised of a total of 16 elements in 11 groups, with a three-group zoom system and rear-focusing configuration. The lens uses four aspherical elements to help reduce distortion across the zoom range, and the combination of one Super UD and one UD glass elements help substantially reduce chromatic aberration as well as improve sharpness and resolving power -- an important factor for future owners of the high resolution 5DS and 5DS R.

Canon also applied its most advanced lens coatings -- including their Sub-Wavelength Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) -- throughout the lens. Both coatings help reduce ghosting and flare, particularly when dealing with backlit subjects. Canon's Super Spectra Coating rounds out the ensemble, helping to increase light transmittance and improve color accuracy.

As an L-series lens, the build quality is top-notch, with the lens featuring a high resistance to dust and moisture as well a fixed, petal-shaped lens hood -- to help block stray light and protect the bulbous front element. The addition of a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements helps to reduce fingerprints, dirt and other pollutants, while making cleaning easier. And as is typical in the higher-end of the Canon lineup, the lens features Ultrasonic Motor technology for fast, quiet and accurate autofocus.

The Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM is expected to become available in late February 2015 for an estimated retail price of US$2,999.

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• Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM, $2,999: B&H